Airbus partnered with Air Race E to launch the world’s first electric airplane race

Airbus has announced a global partnership with Air Race E, the world’s first electric airplane race set to launch its inaugural series in 2020.

The competition aims to drive the development and adoption of cleaner, faster, and more technologically advanced electric engines that can be applied to urban air mobility vehicles and, eventually, commercial aircraft.

Air Race E will follow a format similar to the popular Air Race 1 series of the sport known as formula one air racing. Eight electric-powered airplanes will race directly against each other on a tight 5-km circuit, just 10 metres above the ground, and at speeds faster than any land-based motorsport.